Open House seat attracts Republican candidate

Published: Thursday, October 25, 2012 at 04:41 PM.

A. The Garden Parkway toll road is far down the list of options for
Gaston
County
. First, we can widen I-85 to four lanes each way throughout the county. Also, the upgrade of the I-85 and the U.S. 321 interchange is long overdue. And finally, U.S. 74 needs to be upgraded along with highways 273, 274, 279 and numerous other roads and bridges.

Q.
North Carolina
has the highest income tax of any state in the South. Are you in favor of cutting that tax here?

A. Our tax structure is very outdated and our tax burden is too high. I favor a complete overhaul of North Carolina’s tax code that will restructure the corporate tax rate along with the personal and family tax rate. Tax cuts will make the most difference in our state economy because our citizens deserve to keep more of the money they earn.

Q. Do you or do you not support offshore drilling along North Carolina’s coast? Why or why not?

A. I support offshore drilling. We must take advantage of all resources to become energy independent and not be held hostage by our enemies over oil. Safe offshore drilling will help create good jobs and grow our economy.

Q. What is your opinion on incentives for the purpose of promoting economic development?

A. We should level the playing field for all businesses in the state. Cash grants and free land should never be given to any corporation. If we cut taxes and regulations in order to become more attractive to business, we will not have to rely on “luring” people to come here.

Q. What would you do to help create new jobs in GastonCounty?

A. The answer is simple: get government out of the way and pass common sense solutions. These solutions include cutting taxes for working families and small businesses; reducing burdensome regulations; upgrading our roads and infrastructure; and reequipping our work force with training needed for 21st century jobs.

Q. If the Garden Parkway isn’t built, what else should be done to address transportation needs in GastonCounty?

A. The Garden Parkway toll road is far down the list of options for GastonCounty. First, we can widen I-85 to four lanes each way throughout the county. Also, the upgrade of the I-85 and the U.S. 321 interchange is long overdue. And finally, U.S. 74 needs to be upgraded along with highways 273, 274, 279 and numerous other roads and bridges.

Q. North Carolina has the highest income tax of any state in the South. Are you in favor of cutting that tax here?

A. Our tax structure is very outdated and our tax burden is too high. I favor a complete overhaul of North Carolina’s tax code that will restructure the corporate tax rate along with the personal and family tax rate. Tax cuts will make the most difference in our state economy because our citizens deserve to keep more of the money they earn.